4-H horse camp jumps into summer fun
Campers and chaperones learned new horsemanship skills during the 20th 4-H Horse Camp at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. The 79 campers and 11 instructors participated in other camp activities such as square dancing and line dancing.
At the end of the closing ceremony at 4-H Horse Camp.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
79 riders participated in this years 4-H Horse Camp. Riders learned a variety of skills and techniques during the five day event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.
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Bonner County horses, and their 4-H’ers, rode through a blazing June week.
The Survivor-themed camp saw 79 riders, guided by 11 instructors.
Campers rise at 6 a.m. to muck stalls, wash horses, and ready tacking equipment for the day. After breakfast is over, campers take part in six class periods that cover a range of riding techniques and abilities.
“You have to be pretty hooked to do all this hard work,” said Doris Walker, co-host of 4-H horse camp and mom to 14-year-old camper Ari.
“They need western tack, they need English tack, it’s a lot of physical work.”
Students learn English jumping, western dressage (a technical skill that requires riders have their horses execute certain patterns), ranching and roping, regular western riding, and a wild card class, where anything can happen.
Featured in this week’s wild card class was bareback riding, drill team, and additional techniques used for riding in special formations. Friday’s wild card class focused on getting ready for the main event later that evening.
Campers, without their horses, did a test run of their drill formation on foot to add the final finishing touches to their performance.
All the work and preparations were for Friday’s grand finale. On June 25, riders donned grass skirts, put on decorations, and painted their horses for the big event held in the outdoor arena of the Bonner County Fairgrounds.
Family members gathered in the stands to enjoy the spectacle of the campers’ accomplishments.
Some family members did not have to travel to watch the show.
Each camper is required to have a chaperone present during camp to assist campers with the physical labor, and other tasks, that come with maintaining a horse.
“The kids are learning to be self-sufficient with their horses,” said Amber Villelli, chaperone to 9 year old Simona, “they’ve learned the love of caring for your horse, not just riding.”
A love that you can smell in the air, and in each building.
“I wish they had it for adults,” said Tamara Williams while watching her 10-year-old daughter, Lilly, during rehearsal.
There is other fun to be had at horse camp outside of learning riding techniques, a lot of the evening fun happens in a building not used for classes. Inside this building, there is no earthen floor, but cement. A projector screen stands in the middle of the large space, surrounded by four square wooden fence posts wrapped in string lights. In the evenings, attendees participate in square dancing, line dancing, or sometimes watch movies. Regardless of what the activity is, campers, chaperones, and staff do it together.
Even though camp is over for this year, this isn’t the end of summer festivities for 4-H riders.
July 17-18 is the 4-H Horse Show, located in the outdoor arena at Bonner County Fairgrounds. Spectators can watch participants execute all kinds of skills and techniques. The showmanship event is the largest, because riders of all skill levels are able to participate.
Typically 4-H events of this sort happen during the fair. However, since horses are large and require space for their equipment, it is held earlier in the year to allow them the room they need.
Those interested in participating in next year’s 4-H Horse Camp are encouraged to reach out to a local 4-H chapter for further details.
The dust is settling for now, but not for long.
